Light
Friday 11th November 2011
Do you believe in SAD? Seasonal Affective Disorder. Well, it’s officially recognised as a – it’s not an illness, is it? A condition. Something that happens to some people. Research seems to indicate that because we are genetically programmed to react to light levels, some people get what I suppose in the past we’d have called ‘the winter blues’. For some people it stays as just ‘winter blues’ but for others, I think it’s a real problem.
I used to prefer wintertime to summertime. As September – still the best month, I think – tipped into October, I loved the feeling of shorter days, cosy evenings, dark mornings. Now – not so much. In fact, not at all. Apart from the lovely winter festivals and Strictly Come Dancing, that, literally, lighten the darkness. I do love those.
I wonder if my changed feeling about wintertime is a feature of age. Because Lily and Florence still prefer winter, with the many rituals that we all do but which I think I do to an even greater extent than ‘normal’, even inventing new ones such as our Second Christmas. This takes place in late January or early February at the latest. Like Easter, it moves. I think I’m trying to fend off the sinking feeling that post-Christmas days can bring, so strong a physical feeling that if I’m not careful, I can anticipate it
before Christmas and hasten its arrival, mourning Christmas’s passing before it has even arrived.
I know that if I spend a few hours outdoors, even on dark days, I feel much better that day and maybe for a day or so afterwards. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I’m not in a decline about this, but it’s crept into my consciousness that I feel better in summer than I do in winter. So, I don’t think, thank God, that I have SAD, but maybe a lower-end of the spectrum version of it. I don’t think I need to buy a special light that can help to re-balance the light levels for people who are badly affected, though it’s good to know they are out there, should the need arise!
Strategies for coping are what we need. Snow helped during the last 2 winters, making it at least feel like winter had a point, rather than just being muggy and dark. But we cannot include snow in our strategy unless we go abroad for some, as it may well not snow at all, it usually doesn’t. No, my strategy will include: lighting the fire every day and spending some time knitting; dragging the dogs round the village every day – well, Rupert maybe once a week due to his back condition, and to be honest neither is what you’d call mad keen; and gardening, because unless it’s really cold, I can do ‘real’ gardening of the sort that usually has to take a back seat to the garden-wrangling/pruning/transporting -the-garden-to-the-tip activities that is the only thing keeping the cottage even visible in spring and summer. And, it’s almost garlic-planting time!
Here is some light-filled knitting:
This little evening scarf is using a ridiculous number of beads even for me, but it’s very opulent and heavy so I think it’s just about worth it.
It is still on the needles but when it’s done, I’ll post it as a free pattern, in the blog. It will take 2 balls of Kidsilk Haze and about 1,000 beads (this seems better if you say’2 bags of beads’!)
This little evening scarf is using a ridiculous number of beads even for me, but it’s very opulent and heavy so I think it’s just about worth it.
It is still on the needles but when it’s done, I’ll post it as a free pattern, in the blog. It will take 2 balls of Kidsilk Haze and about 1,000 beads (this seems better if you say’2 bags of beads’!)
I don’t have SAD but I think we all get a bit sluggish when the days get short. I have a fantastic alarm clock that wakes me up with a lovely “sunrise” (dimmer switch) effect which makes the mornings so much more palatable. And aside from that I think you’re right abut getting out every day and plenty of sparkles! At least your two pups like the cold weather, my cats are going out for the first time this winter and are VERY unimpressed with the rain and the lack of bees.
*sigh* the scarf is, as ever, beautiful! Beads and sparkle are definitely the way forward in these darker days.
I definitely believe that the shorter daylight hours have an effect on mood. I have one of those magical sunrise-sunset alarms which seems to help – rather than being shocked awake by a toneless beeping from a normal alarm clock, the feeling of gently awakening with a brightening light is much more pleasant. For me, it certainly seems to make the winter months more bearable, and I do like falling asleep to my own sunset too.
Christmas in my house is extended to its fullest – decs go up on 1st Dec and usually don’t come down until 12th night. I also subscribe to the cheering effect of snow – no matter how disruptive to daily routines. But I do wish people wouldn’t go out and spoil it – there is nothing more beautiful than pristine snow-covered landscapes, and even more so in your part of the world.
xxxx
I think I *need* one of those clocks…X
I love the autumn and embrace winter (wrapping up against the cold, walks/runs which take your breath away and viewingthe world through half light, or like today beautiful crisp blue sky) knowing that spring is just a few (giant) steps along the road. It also helps that I love, love, love everything about Christmas (excited already) and I am certainly liking your idea of a second Christmas end of Jan/beginning of Feb time.
I am also coveting your knitting needle(s) visible in the above picture. Which brand are they and where can I get some?
Cxxx
You know, Claire, you are right, I’d forgotten that I much prefer winter runs to summer! Thank you!
The needles are Signature Art needles, they are made in the USA, and so you import them – ordering from their website is fun as you get to choose the tip (I have stiletto tips, but there are also blunt and midi) and you choose the decorative ends to the needles, that one is tear-drop. Also, you choose from 3 lengths. They come by post in about 10 – 20 days and though they ARE expensive, these (stiletto) are very sharp and pointy and just lovely to work with. A treat. I’m having 3 more pairs for Christmas from Mr C-S. (I’m not on commission, I’m just a knitting-pusher, basically)
Thank you for the Info Alison. I have added a pair to my Christmas list so now just have to concentrate on being a good girl 🙂
Have a lovely weekend.
Cx